At admission hemodynamic instability is associated with increased mortality and rebleeding rate in acute gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a life-threatening event. Around 20–30% of patients with GIB will develop hemodynamic instability (HI). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to quantify HI as a risk factor for the development of relevant end points in acute GIB. DESIGN: A systematic search was conducted in three medical databases in October 2021. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Studies of GIB patients detailing HI as a risk factor for the investigated outcomes were selected. For the overall results, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on a random-effects model. Subgroups were formed based on the source of bleeding. The Quality of Prognostic Studies tool was used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 62 studies were eligible, and 39 were included in the quantitative synthesis. HI was found to be a risk factor for both in-hospital (OR: 5.48; CI: 3.99–7.52) and 30-day mortality (OR: 3.99; CI: 3.08–5.17) in upper GIB (UGIB). HI was also associated with higher in-hospital (OR: 3.68; CI: 2.24–6.05) and 30-day rebleeding rates (OR: 4.12; 1.83–9.31) among patients with UGIB. The need for surgery was also more frequent in hemodynamically compromised UGIB patients (OR: 3.65; CI: 2.84–4.68). In the case of in-hospital mortality, the risk of bias was high for 1 (4%), medium for 13 (48%), and low for 13 (48%) of the 27 included studies. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamically compromised patients have increased odds of all relevant untoward end points in GIB. Therefore, to improve the outcomes, adequate emergency care is crucial in HI. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021285727.